ncl-nstar4

Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Rob Dell
Email: robdell@netlink.com.au
Age: 49
Occupation: manager
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: No
Ship: NCL-NorwegianStar
SailingDate: 01 apr 1999
Itinerary: south pacific islands
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 75
CabinComfort: 98
FoodRoomService: 90
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 78
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon: 95
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland: 90
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 89
BeautySalonStaff: 85
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess: 85
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 85
EntertainmentPoolside: 75
CruiseActivities: 75
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 75
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 99
DiscoNightclubs: 85
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 15 Apr 1999
Time: 07:04:36
Remote Name: myalla0.connect.com.au
Remote User:

Comments

This ship is now operated by Norwegian Capricorn Line which is based in Sydney, Australia and is a joint venture with
Norwegian Cruise Line who have 50% shareholding. I found the ship to be immaculately maintained given the age ( built in
1973) and the overall atmosphere really great. The food in particular is quite unique in that it differs from the mainstream
fare delivered on many other, more highly rated ships.Lots of different and tasty themses in the menus including touches of
asia, some mild curries, and fantastic salads using the great produce Australia is renowned for. Fantasitc wine list with more
than 150 varieties from Australia, New Zealand, Chile, USA and France. This ship is promoted as 4 star and certainly, in my
experience, more than delivers on the rating. The space ratio is quite outstanding, we sailed with 700 passengers with the
maximum capacity being 800 so there was plenty of space. My kids expecialy enjoyed the activity programme which had
them completley absorbed for much of the time at sea. The entertainment on the ship was amongst the nbest I have seen
and offered a lot of variety including reviews, comedy, even some Noel Coward, and classical music recitals, indeed
something for everyone. The destinations are all good with the exception of Noumea which was close, and disintersted. Port
Vila and Mystery Island were the best, unspoilt and great value. Great snorkelling on live coral and buaeutiful tropical fishlife.
The embarkation processing was also the best I have seen with a computerised system which took care of the credit cards
as well as embarkation really quickly, and without all the paparwork generally involved with other lines.We are keen to do
more destinations like Bali indonesia in Mid year but this cruise has been so popular, it has sold out, though we are told
there will be two in 2000. I also did the Tasmania cruise in February which was stunning, scenery quite unique and a blend
of Alaska, Scandinavia and World Heritage Listed.I can thoroughly recommend this cruise ship, it has come a long way from
the its days in Houston, from what I have read. ( This comment intended to be a pun!)

Name: Dan Michels
Email: danmichels@worldnet.att.net
Age: 29
Occupation: Estimating Manager - Printing operation
NumberOfCruises: 8
TravelAgent: No
Ship: NCL-NorwegianStar
SailingDate: 8/23/98-8/29/98
Itinerary: Western Caribbean via Houston
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 90
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 100
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 65
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 90
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 65
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 95
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 65
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 85
DiscoNightclubs: 80
DeckSpace: 75
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 100
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 19 Apr 1999
Time: 20:41:42
Remote Name: 115.ojus-03-04rs.fl.dial-access.att.net
Remote User:

Comments

After cruising on a few "mega" liners, we (my Dad, girlfriend, and her parents) decided to try an older cruise liner. We chose
to cruise on the Norwegian Star (also known as the Tiltin' Hilton)based on availability and the itinerary.

Cruising from Houston is an excellent option that hopefully will take off. The only bad part is the port is a good hour away
from the airport and the buses don't leave the airport until they are full. Embarkation is a dream....the only ship in port!!!
NCL has waiters walking around with platters of yum yums to keep you occupied while waiting to board the ship. Leaving
from Houston is like leaving from Miami 20 years ago....a real step back in time, yet refreshing.

THE SHIP Small, yet attractive. You notice as you look at her that she has about a 5 degree list. The crew refers to her as
the Tiltin' Hilton. In her day, the Star was a 5 star ship, cruising for Royal Viking Line, so I didn't know what to expect now.
NCL has done an excellent job in trying to keep her updated with current vessels. All the carpeting and walls were either new
or in really great shape. The cabins are spacious, although the decor doesn't match. The cabin layout is very functional with
the exception of upper and lowers. We had a "Superior Outside" Stateroom, but I believe all the cabins are the same size.
There are certain spots on the Star that are very memorable....there is a lounge in the front of the ship at the very top, we
settled there every night after dinner to relax and have some adult beverages. This lounge also doubled as a piano
bar/margarita bar at night. The main showroom was beautiful. Although it is flat, most signt lines were good. Being an older
ship, there was no extravegant stage set ups, but the entertainers did a good job with what they had to deal with. The dining
room was very functional. There were booth seats that wrapped around the windows, providing excellent views for those
lucky people. The rest of the ship was well maintained and could go for many years yet. Of course, there were the quirks
that come with an older ship. There were a few instances of the AC going out, and some people complained of their shower
drains backing up, but we were fortunate.

THE CRUISE From Houston, you go out through Galveston. Amazing to see, oil rigs to the right, oil rigs to the left..... We saw
a lot of dolphins jumping in front of the ship, too. First couple of days were at sea. Now, bear in mind that we left 2 days after
the hurricane went through the gulf, so the seas were choppy. The Star cruised through the swells without any motion,
honest. The older ships have a deeper draft, allowing for a smoother cruise. 2 days at sea is great to get you in the vacation
mood, enjoy the sounds of the ocean, have a few beers, get some sun..... Our first stop was Calica, Mexico. We took the
Xcaret tour, a must for the first time visitor. Xcaret is a ecological theme park ( I know, boring ). It is probably the most
beautiful sight I have seen. At dusk you form into groups for a trip through the park to witness ancient Mayan rituals, really
awesome!!!! The tour culminates with a Mexican folk show, which went on about an hour too long (it was about a hour long
in entirety). After that, back to the ship....we don't leave until early am Next we went to Cozumel, what can I say..... CARLOS
'N CHARLIES..... you have to remember, this was the first time my Dad met my girlfriends parents..... I think we all saw the
best of each other there. We had a blast!!!! Finally we went to Roatan....heaven on earth. I have never seen a more
beautiful, unspoiled island. There are none of the usual tourist trap things here, no shopping. We went to the beach with the
reef. My girfriend (Monica) and I snorkelled all day. Absolutely amazing!!!! I've heard that the hurricane didn't do any
damage to the reef, which is good. I suggest going there before the rest of the world spoils it. Very undeveloped and
wonderful!!!!

FOOD Food is excellent on NCL ships, honest. I've been on RCI, Celebrity, and Costa... I would compare them with
Celebrity.... big portions and very good. The Texaribbean cruise offers a night of Tex Mex selections, a big change from the
norm.

Our waiter was a very nice guy, yet unorganized. It was his last sailing before transfering to another ship, so his mind wasn't
in it. Our busboy was the best, he was from Panama. The maitre d that was assigned to us was from Ft Lauderdale (Monica,
her parents, and I are from Miami), and when he found out were we were from, he was extremely rude to us. That's okay, we
noted it on the comment cards.

OVERALL This is my 2nd cruise on NCL (1st on the Windward before stretching). I really think they have a highly underated
product. The crew and staff onboard is top rate, the food is excellent, and the ships are extremely comfortable. NCL ships
feel like being at home, very relaxed. We would definitely consider doing the Texaribbean again on the Norwegian Sea....it's
a different, yet exciting cruise itineray....

Name: Susan Paulin Schubert
Email: sjp@mgma.com
Age: 35
Occupation: Advertising Sales Coordinator
NumberOfCruises: 9
TravelAgent: No
Ship: NCL-NorwegianStar
SailingDate: May 2, 1999
Itinerary: Cozumel, Cancun, Roatan
FoodDiningRoom: 82
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 82
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 88
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 94
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 98
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 80
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 79
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram: 90
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 88
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 11 May 1999
Time: 14:43:39
Remote Name: border-ext.mgma.com
Remote User:

Comments

When approached by a group of friends that I usually travel to Mexico with to take a cruise I could not resist the
offer. Having been on eight previous cruises I knew that I was in for fun, sun and pure enjoyment. Having received
an exceptional price on the NCL Texaribbian itinerary I started out happy.

NCL made embarkation and disembarkation fast and easy, being the only cruise ship that sails from Texas probably
helped. Once on board we immediately went to the lifeboat drill which was well organized, quick and painless,
afterwards it was straight to the upper deck and the pool, here we enjoyed island music by a wonderful band,
danced and met fellow passengers. After setting sail we walked and toured the ship which was smaller than I like but
had all the necessary areas like a casino, two clubs and assorted bars and lounges, Oscars being by far my
favorite, great staff and great service! We then met up with our group (30 friends) and went to dinner. Dinner, a
highlight on my past cruises, was not what we expected the food was unimaginative and bland and after the first
evening I did not even try another. A wonderful find was The Bistro Café, a fine dining café on the ship that allows
reservations and offers wonderful food, service and deserts, they suggest a five dollar per person gratuity and I
gladly gave ten I was so happy not having to eat in the dining room. The food offered in the buffet lines was ok but
nothing to crave.

The itinerary was enjoyable, Cancun was one large party with great beaches and a relaxed feeling, Cozumel is more
laid back and offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Roatan was amazing we took a cab to
Fantasy Island and awed at the natural beauty of the island. Water so clear that you never had to get your hair wet
to see the sea life. Surrounded by the second largest reef system in the world this area is a haven for all whom like
to dive or snorkel. If you like to sunbathe or walk the beach this island is also for you, shells and coral can be found
on the waters edge. Although underdeveloped Roatan holds a beauty in its people and beaches, I feel lucky to have
been there.

After taking part in one NCL tour in Cozumel we canceled our other tours. We heard many others doing the same.
Some of the complaints we heard were; the tour was not what was described, snorkeling along the highway was not
what was expected; the tours were too expensive and many tours had changed itineraries. We spoke to the
excursion desk and were surprised that upon receipt of our final bill we each were given a 15% discount.

The staff on board was friendly and helpful but I like more of a party feel. Being part of a large group helped in that
area. I would have enjoyed more poolside activities and some late night shows. This would be a great cruise for
those that prefer a more quiet vacation. I was happy with the cruise because of the price but would have been very
unhappy if I had to pay published prices. NCL tried but did not meet my expectations or those of many in my group.
We all had a fun time though and again, for the price we loved it but as a group we made it work.

I think this cruise would be ideal for a first time cruiser!

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